'Game of Thrones' round up: Renewed, reviewed, racist (?) and in the queue

Did you like your first glimpse of "Game of Thrones" last Sunday? You're not alone (although critics' opinions varied). Here's a round-up of "Game of Thrones" news from the past week:

* On Tuesday, HBO decided it liked the look of the four million or so of you who showed up to watch the premiere, and renewed the show for a second season.

* George R. R. Martin, author the books the series is based on, caused a kerfuffle by telling the New Yorker he was one of those who hated the ending of "Lost" -- which prompted "Lost" creator Damon Lindelof to strike back on Twitter ("Winter IS coming, bitch!") but also spawned this interesting conversation between Martin and TV critic Maureen Ryan about how a long-form-narrative TV show sticks the landing.

* The New York Times review of "Game of Thrones" dismissed it as not only bad, but as "boy fiction" tarted up with a little soft core porn because "no woman alive would watch otherwise." Certain corners of the internet promptly imploded in an effort to decide which was the stupider premise there: That women only watch TV for the sex scenes, or that no woman alive is interested in fantasy?

* Elsewhere, some folks asked if the novels, or the TV show, or both, were a little bit racist --- the show's Dothraki, they noted, weren't only violent, under-dressed and slutty, they were also the only people of color depicted in the series.

* You can decide for yourself: The second episode airs Sunday night at 9. (And then check out our recap and offer your own opinions here starting at 10.)